By Ariel
Hi, friends! It’s Ariel here, and I’m absolutely thrilled to take you on another heart-mapping journey with the Time Audit Machine! This week, we plugged in coordinates for 2 Corinthians 13:1–10, where Paul gives the believers in Corinth—and us—a challenge that’s both bold and beautiful: examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. At first, that might sound a little intense (I mean, who loves pop quizzes about your soul?), but once I started digging into it, I realized this passage is actually a loving invitation from God to grow stronger, not scared.
Self-examination doesn’t mean we’re trying to “pass” some spiritual test like a checklist of rules—it means asking gentle, honest questions about where our hearts are pointed. Are we really trusting Jesus, or are we just saying we do? Are we being shaped by love, patience, and kindness—or by habits that pull us away from Him? Paul reminds us that true faith isn’t just about what we say… it’s about who we’re becoming through Christ. That hit me like one of those “Whoa, God’s talking right to me!” verses.
So I started journaling: What does my faith look like when no one’s watching? What fruit is growing on my spiritual tree? And most importantly, how can I stay connected to Jesus every single day—not just when I’m doing something “big,” but even in the little things, like helping Alice clean up her glitter explosion or choosing kindness when I’m frustrated. That’s what this week’s blog is about: turning inward not to feel guilty, but to make more room for God’s grace. We’ll explore how this scripture calls us to pursue holiness, stay rooted in truth, and build a life that reflects Jesus from the inside out.
Let’s step into this journey together—one prayer, one reflection, and one beautiful moment of growth at a time. 💛
🌿 The Challenge of Self-Reflection
During one of our evening family Bible studies, Daddy opened to 2 Corinthians 13:1–10 and gently said,
“This passage is a call to take an honest look at our faith. Paul challenges us to ask, ‘Are we truly walking with Jesus? Does our life reflect His presence in us?’”
That made my brain light up like a flashlight in a dark tunnel. I asked,
“What does it mean to examine ourselves? Is it like checking if our hearts are doing what Jesus wants?”
Daddy nodded thoughtfully.
“Exactly, Ariel. Paul is asking us to reflect on our relationship with Jesus—not to be perfect, but to make sure our faith is real and growing.”
Then he smiled and held up a little mirror from Mommy’s purse.
“Think of self-reflection like this mirror. Just like we check our face or hair in the morning, we should take time to check our hearts. Are our choices, thoughts, and words reflecting Jesus?”
Alice—hugging Mr. Fluffernutter so tightly his ears were all floppy—whispered,
“And if we find something wrong… we can ask Jesus to help, right?”
Daddy gave her a big smile.
“Absolutely! Noticing what needs to change is part of growing. Self-examination isn’t about feeling bad—it’s about being honest with God and trusting Him to help us grow.”
Then Yaya added something I’ll never forget. Her voice was soft, but strong, like warm wind through a storybook tree.
“Self-examination isn’t meant to bring shame—it’s meant to bring you closer to Jesus. It’s like checking the direction on a compass. You’re just making sure your heart is still pointing toward Him.”
She continued,
“When we talk with Jesus about our weaknesses, He doesn’t turn away. He steps in with grace. That’s how real transformation begins—by being open, honest, and willing to change together with Him.”
As we sat quietly with those thoughts, the whole room felt… full. Like a deep breath for the soul. I looked around at my family and thought, “This is how faith grows—by reflecting, asking, trusting, and walking together toward Jesus.”
🪞Family Reflection Time
- Can you think of a time when you paused and asked God to help you grow in your faith?
- What areas of your heart might need a little mirror moment with Jesus today?
- How can your family encourage each other to keep walking in truth and love?
Key Scripture Highlight:
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5a (ESV)
💌 Paul’s Loving Call to Spiritual Growth
“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
— 2 Corinthians 13:1 (KJV)
During our Bible time, Daddy opened his Bible and said,
“Paul had already visited the church in Corinth twice and written letters addressing things like pride, division, and disobedience. Now, in 2 Corinthians 13, he’s speaking firmly—but with deep love. He wants them to take their faith seriously, not just as individuals, but as a community walking with Jesus.”
I tilted my head and asked,
“Was Paul being mean to them?”
Daddy smiled and gently replied,
“Not mean—just deeply caring. Paul wasn’t scolding them out of frustration. He was guiding them like a loving teacher who truly wants his students to grow. His firmness came from a shepherd’s heart, one that longed for the Corinthians to know the joy and maturity that come from real, transformed faith.”
Then Daddy said something that really made me think:
“Spiritual growth doesn’t always feel easy. Sometimes it means letting go of old habits or listening to correction—but it’s all part of becoming more like Jesus.”
He continued,
“Faith isn’t just a personal treasure we hide away—it’s something we share with others. Paul wanted the Corinthians to grow stronger together. He believed that when people unite in truth, love, and humility, they reflect Jesus even more beautifully. Paul’s message to the Corinthians wasn’t about punishment—it was a call to spiritual maturity, unity, and authentic transformation.”
That part really stuck with me. Sometimes growing in faith means letting someone lovingly say, “Hey, there’s a better way—let’s follow Jesus more closely.” That’s not easy… but it’s so worth it.
💬 Let’s Reflect Together
- Has someone ever helped you grow in your faith by telling you the truth—even when it was hard to hear?
- What does it mean to love others enough to speak with honesty and grace?
- How can your family help each other become more united in your walk with Christ?
Verse to Remember:
“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.” — Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)
🔍 Examining Ourselves with Faith and Honesty
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
— 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)
This verse really made me pause.
“How do we know if we’re truly in the faith?” I asked during our Bible study.
Daddy looked up from his Bible and said,
“We look for evidence of Jesus in our lives. Are we trusting Him in our daily decisions? Are we growing in love, holiness, and compassion? True faith shows up in the fruit we produce.”
Then he reminded us of the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22–23:
“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—when these qualities begin to grow in our lives, it’s a sign that we are walking with Christ.”
Alice blinked slowly and said,
“So… if we mess up, we can still ask Jesus to help, right?”
(Fluffernutter nodded too—well, sort of.)
Yaya smiled with warmth in her eyes.
“Exactly. Self-examination isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being honest. Everyone makes mistakes, and that doesn’t mean we’re not in the faith. In fact, when we notice those areas and turn to Jesus for help, we’re growing.”
She went on to say something that really touched me:
“When we reflect with humility, we open our hearts to God’s guidance. He teaches us through these moments—not to shame us—but to strengthen us.”
That helped me see self-examination in a whole new way. It’s not a test with a grade—it’s a conversation with Jesus. It’s how we align our hearts with God’s truth and invite Him to help us become who He created us to be.
🌱 Let’s Grow in Faith Together
- What are some ways you’ve seen the Fruit of the Spirit in your own life?
- Is there a moment from today where you could’ve chosen love, patience, or self-control more clearly?
- How can your family encourage each other to reflect and grow in your faith this week?
Memory Verse Idea:
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” — Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)
💪 Confidence in God’s Power: Strength Through Our Weakness
“For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.”
— 2 Corinthians 13:4 (KJV)
While reading this verse, I paused and asked,
“Does Paul mean that God’s power works through our weakness?”
Daddy nodded and said,
“Exactly. Just like Jesus’ resurrection showed the power of God, our lives can reflect that same strength—even when we feel weak. Paul wanted the Corinthians to stop relying on their own abilities and start trusting fully in God.”
He added something I wrote in my journal with a giant gold star:
“Our weaknesses don’t push God away—they actually create space for His grace to shine through.”
That idea really stuck with me. I always thought being strong meant never messing up or never feeling small. But Paul is teaching the opposite—real strength comes from depending on God, especially when we feel like we’re not enough.
Yaya leaned in and gently said,
“When we admit we’re weak, that’s when we can truly experience God’s power. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us. We’re not meant to carry everything alone.”
That reminded me of how Jesus’ resurrection is the greatest example of God’s strength bringing hope out of something that looked hopeless. Even when life feels hard or messy or confusing, God is still moving—still bringing life, purpose, and strength to our stories.
So the next time I feel overwhelmed or unsure, I’m going to whisper a little prayer:
“Jesus, I feel weak—but I know You are strong. Please be strong in me.”
Because trusting in God’s power means remembering that I never walk alone.
💡 Let’s Talk About God’s Strength
- Can you think of a time when you felt weak or unsure—and God helped you through?
- What does it look like to rely on God instead of just trying to “do it all” yourself?
- How can you remind your heart that God’s power is working, even in quiet or difficult moments?
Memory Verse Highlight:
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
🧱 Building Up, Not Tearing Down: Faith That Encourages
During our Bible study, Yaya smiled gently and said,
“Paul’s goal in 2 Corinthians 13:9 wasn’t to scold or embarrass the Corinthians—it was to help them grow stronger in their faith.”
That made me think about how sometimes love means having tough conversations, especially when we want to help someone become their best self in Christ.
Yaya continued,
“Paul understood that weakness is part of being human—but it’s also where God’s strength shines the brightest. When Paul said he was glad when he was weak, he was inviting the Corinthians to see that real power comes from humbly depending on the Lord.”
Spiritual growth, I realized, isn’t just about learning Bible verses or going to church. It’s about letting God reshape our hearts—especially in the hard moments.
Paul’s words weren’t just warnings. They were encouragements rooted in love. He wasn’t trying to tear the Corinthians down; he was trying to build them up—to help them reach their full potential as followers of Jesus.
Daddy said something that stuck with me:
“Correction without love feels like rejection. But correction with love? That’s discipleship.”
That’s exactly what Paul was doing—he was shepherding the Corinthians, guiding them toward spiritual maturity. And guess what? That’s what we’re called to do, too. We can build each other up in faith, even when it means talking about hard things, as long as we do it with kindness and care.
🏗️ Let’s Build Up Together
- Have you ever had to tell someone the truth to help them grow?
- How do you respond when someone lovingly points out something you need to work on?
- How can you support your family and friends as they grow in their walk with Jesus?
Scripture to Remember:
“We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.” — 2 Corinthians 13:9 (NIV)
🧭 Examining Our Own Faith: Steps for Growing Closer to Jesus
As we studied 2 Corinthians 13:1–10, I started wondering—how can we actually live out Paul’s challenge to examine ourselves in faith?
Daddy reminded us that it’s not about being perfect—it’s about staying close to Jesus and letting His love shape our hearts. So I grabbed my journal and wrote down a few ways we can grow deeper in our relationship with God. And guess what? You can do these too!
🙏 Reflect on Your Faith
Ask yourself:
“Am I really trusting Jesus in my daily life?”
Are my actions showing His love and truth to the people around me?
Spending time in prayer and asking those big, heart-honest questions is one of the best ways to begin. Reflection is like looking through a clear window into your soul—it helps you see where you’re standing and which direction your heart is walking.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” — Psalm 139:23 (NIV)
🌿 Grow in Holiness
Growing in holiness sounds fancy, but it really means letting the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts, choices, and dreams. When we spend time in prayer, serve others with kindness, and stay connected to our faith community, God shapes us into living examples of His love.
I like to think of it as God planting seeds in our hearts—then helping them bloom into grace, patience, and peace.
“Be holy, because I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:16 (NIV)
💗 Seek Forgiveness and Renewal
We all make mistakes. Even I do (especially when I accidentally snap at Alice for putting stickers on my Bible tabs). But the amazing news is—Jesus is always ready to forgive.
When we confess our mess-ups, Jesus doesn’t push us away. He welcomes us back and helps us grow stronger than before. His mercy transforms our hearts and gives us the courage to keep walking in faith.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us.” — 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
🤝 Encourage Others in Their Faith
Faith is not a solo adventure—it’s a family journey! 💛
You can share your reflections with your siblings, friends, or parents. Ask them how they stay close to Jesus. Make it a habit to cheer one another on when things feel tough.
Yaya says it best:
“We grow better when we grow together.”
Whether it’s a family prayer night, a quiet Bible moment before bedtime, or a simple “Jesus loves you” note in someone’s lunchbox—your encouragement matters!
🕊️ Faith Check-In: Let’s Reflect Together
- What’s one thing you’ve learned about your own faith this week?
- How do you show love and patience in your daily actions?
- Who in your life could use a gentle reminder of God’s love today?
📋 Faith Check Challenge: Growing in Faith Together as a Family
This week, we started something super special called the “Faith Check Challenge”—and honestly, it might be one of my favorite family projects ever!
Each night after dinner, we gathered with our Bibles, journals, and a basket full of colorful pens (Alice insisted Fluffernutter pick hers for her). We each wrote down a few questions to help us examine our faith more deeply—just like Paul encourages in 2 Corinthians 13:5.
Some of our questions sounded like this:
- “How did I show God’s love to someone today?”
- “Did I forgive someone, even when it was hard?”
- “Did I trust Jesus in something that felt scary or confusing?”
At the end of the day, we shared our thoughts out loud. Sometimes we celebrated tiny victories—like Alice being kind to Bash even after he chewed her sock. Other times, we admitted where we fell short, and we prayed together for strength and grace. 💛
Yaya said,
“Faith grows when we pay attention to it. Like watering a plant—you won’t see change right away, but something beautiful is happening inside.”
And she’s right. Doing this challenge didn’t just help us think about God more—it helped us live more like Jesus, on purpose.
By reflecting each day, our family felt more connected—not just to each other, but to God’s heart. The Faith Check Challenge taught me that even little moments of reflection can lead to big steps of growth.
✍️ Try the Faith Check Challenge in Your Home!
Here’s how to begin:
- Choose a time each day to reflect as a family—before bed, after dinner, or even during breakfast.
- Ask thoughtful faith questions, like:
- “Where did I see God working today?”
- “Did I show kindness when it was hard?”
- “What’s something I want to do differently tomorrow?”
- Write or draw your answers in a notebook, or simply share aloud.
- Pray together, asking God to help your faith grow.
🌟 Let’s Reflect Together
- What’s one way you can check your heart for faith today?
- How could your family create a space for open, honest conversations about Jesus?
- What’s something small you can do to help someone else grow in faith?
Verse to Remember:
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)
🌈 Final Thought: Faith That Grows With Us
As I wrapped up our study of 2 Corinthians 13:1–10, one thing kept blooming in my heart like a sunrise:
Paul’s message isn’t about scaring us—it’s about strengthening us.
When he says, “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith,” (verse 5), he’s giving us an incredible gift—the chance to pause, reflect, and realign our lives with Jesus.
Self-examination in faith isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being real. It’s about asking gentle questions like:
- “Am I trusting God with my decisions?”
- “Does my life show the love of Jesus to others?”
- “Where is God inviting me to grow next?”
By checking in with our hearts, we open the door for transformation. We begin to recognize areas where we need grace, courage, or forgiveness—and we invite the Holy Spirit to shape us from the inside out.
Yaya always says,
“Reflection is the quiet space where God’s whisper becomes clearer.”
And she’s right. This kind of reflection helps us stay close to Jesus, live with purpose, and grow in joy—even when life feels tough. It also helps us encourage each other as a family of believers. Because when we grow together, we glow brighter for Him.
Scripture to Remember:
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” — Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)
I’d love to hear your heart! 💬
What questions help guide your personal faith reflection? Do you journal, pray, or talk with someone you trust? Has your understanding of faith changed over time?
Let’s learn and grow together in Christ.
With love and joy,
Ariel 💖
